The past few hours have witnessed rapid developments within the corridors of Al-Hilal Saudi Club, as Jorge Mendes, the agent of Portuguese star Joao Cancelo, has begun active and intensive moves to secure his client’s future, in light of the news circulating about the team’s technical staff’s decisions regarding the local and foreign list for the upcoming period.
Mendes' moves in the winter transfer window
According to the Italian website Calciomercato, Jorge Mendes didn't wait long after reports surfaced about Cancelo's potential exclusion from the domestic squad or the club's desire for tactical changes. He offered the Portuguese full-back's services to several major European clubs, paving the way for a possible transfer during the upcoming winter transfer window. Mendes is looking to leverage his strong connections in the European market to find a swift solution that will allow the player to continue competing at the highest level.
Motives for leaving and the 2026 World Cup
The current move is not solely due to technical decisions by Al-Hilal's management, but also stems from a personal request by João Cancelo. The player is focused on securing consistent playing time to guarantee his place in the Portuguese national team, especially with preparations for the 2026 World Cup approaching. Cancelo understands that being sidelined or playing at a lower level could jeopardize his international career under coach Roberto Martínez, making a winter transfer a strategic option for him.
Al-Hilal's alternative plan: Saud Abdulhamid returns
In a related development, it appears that Al-Hilal's management, headed by Fahad bin Nafel, is developing alternative plans to compensate for the potential departure of the Portuguese star. Reports indicate that the club's officials are seriously exploring the possibility of bringing back Saudi international right-back Saud Abdulhamid, currently playing for Italian club Roma. This move aims to bolster the right flank with an experienced local player familiar with the club's environment, thus resolving the potential shortage in that position should Cancelo leave, and helping to balance the number of foreign players on the roster.
General context and impact of professional regulations
These moves come amid fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League, where top clubs are forced to choose between their foreign stars due to regulations limiting the number of non-Saudi players. João Cancelo, who joined Al-Hilal from Manchester City after loan spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, is one of the league's most prominent international names, but coaches' tactical and technical considerations may lead them to sacrifice big names for the sake of the team's defensive or offensive balance.
